diff --git a/distribution/changelog.txt b/distribution/changelog.txt
index 88d71712d7..5f70d38fb5 100644
--- a/distribution/changelog.txt
+++ b/distribution/changelog.txt
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 - Fix: [#14604] American-style Steam Trains are not imported correctly from RCT1 saves.
 - Fix: [#14638] The “About OpenRCT2” window cannot be themed.
 - Fix: [#14710] Ride/Track Design preview does not show if it costs more money than available.
-- Improved: [#14712]: Improve startup times.
+- Improved: [#14712, #14716]: Improve startup times.
 
 0.3.3 (2021-03-13)
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/openrct2/rct12/SawyerChunkReader.cpp b/src/openrct2/rct12/SawyerChunkReader.cpp
index 4f584130ae..cf03dfdc5b 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/rct12/SawyerChunkReader.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/rct12/SawyerChunkReader.cpp
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@ constexpr const char* EXCEPTION_MSG_DESTINATION_TOO_SMALL = "Chunk data larger t
 constexpr const char* EXCEPTION_MSG_INVALID_CHUNK_ENCODING = "Invalid chunk encoding.";
 constexpr const char* EXCEPTION_MSG_ZERO_SIZED_CHUNK = "Encountered zero-sized chunk.";
 
-SawyerChunkReader::SawyerChunkReader(OpenRCT2::IStream* stream)
+SawyerChunkReader::SawyerChunkReader(OpenRCT2::IStream* stream, bool persistentChunks)
     : _stream(stream)
+    , _createsPersistentChunks(persistentChunks)
 {
 }
 
@@ -78,7 +79,10 @@ std::shared_ptr<SawyerChunk> SawyerChunkReader::ReadChunk()
                     {
                         throw SawyerChunkException(EXCEPTION_MSG_ZERO_SIZED_CHUNK);
                     }
-                    buffer = static_cast<uint8_t*>(FinaliseLargeTempBuffer(buffer, uncompressedLength));
+                    if (_createsPersistentChunks)
+                    {
+                        buffer = static_cast<uint8_t*>(FinaliseLargeTempBuffer(buffer, uncompressedLength));
+                    }
                     return std::make_shared<SawyerChunk>(
                         static_cast<SAWYER_ENCODING>(header.encoding), buffer, uncompressedLength);
                 }
@@ -126,7 +130,10 @@ std::shared_ptr<SawyerChunk> SawyerChunkReader::ReadChunkTrack()
         {
             throw SawyerChunkException(EXCEPTION_MSG_ZERO_SIZED_CHUNK);
         }
-        buffer = static_cast<uint8_t*>(FinaliseLargeTempBuffer(buffer, uncompressedLength));
+        if (_createsPersistentChunks)
+        {
+            buffer = static_cast<uint8_t*>(FinaliseLargeTempBuffer(buffer, uncompressedLength));
+        }
         return std::make_shared<SawyerChunk>(SAWYER_ENCODING::RLE, buffer, uncompressedLength);
     }
     catch (const std::exception&)
diff --git a/src/openrct2/rct12/SawyerChunkReader.h b/src/openrct2/rct12/SawyerChunkReader.h
index 9d68f55726..0873c8b845 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/rct12/SawyerChunkReader.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/rct12/SawyerChunkReader.h
@@ -36,15 +36,17 @@ namespace OpenRCT2
 
 /**
  * Reads sawyer encoding chunks from a data stream. This can be used to read
- * SC6, SV6 and RCT2 objects.
+ * SC6, SV6 and RCT2 objects. persistentChunks is a hint to the reader that the chunk will be preserved,
+ * and thus the chunk memory should be shrunk.
  */
 class SawyerChunkReader final
 {
 private:
     OpenRCT2::IStream* const _stream = nullptr;
+    const bool _createsPersistentChunks = false;
 
 public:
-    explicit SawyerChunkReader(OpenRCT2::IStream* stream);
+    explicit SawyerChunkReader(OpenRCT2::IStream* stream, bool persistentChunks = false);
 
     /**
      * Skips the next chunk in the stream without decoding or reading its data